High-Calorie / High-Protein Diet

Good nutrition is very important for children being treated for cancer. Children with cancer often have poor appetites. Also, side effects from medications may make the body not tolerate foods well. This can contribute to poor nutrition and poor growth. If a child with cancer maintains adequate nutrition, then he/she may be more likely to:

better tolerate chemotherapy or radiation and experience fewer side effects.

heal.

grow and develop.

maximize quality of life.

Children with cancer often have increased calorie and protein needs. Protein is needed for growth and to help the body repair itself. Getting enough calories can help the body grow, heal, or prevent weight loss. If your child is having trouble eating enough calories and protein, your child's physician or dietitian may suggest serving high-calorie and high-protein foods (i.e., eggs, milk, peanut butter, and cheese).

Increasing calories and protein:

Listed below are some ideas for adding calories and protein to foods that your child may eat for meals and snacks:

Use liberally on sandwiches, salads, as a dip for raw vegetables or sauce on cooked vegetables.

evaporated milk (25 cal/Tbsp, 1 gm protein/Tbsp):

Use in place of whole milk in desserts, baked goods, meat dishes, and cooked cereal.

sour cream (26 cal/Tbsp):

Add to potatoes, casseroles, and dips.

Use in sauces and baked goods.

sweetened condensed milk (60 cal/Tbsp, 1gm protein/Tbsp):

Add to pies, puddings, and milkshakes.

Mix 1 to 2 Tbsp with peanut butter and spread on toast.

peanut butter (95 cal/Tbsp, 4 gm protein/Tbsp):

Serve on toast, bagels, crackers, bananas, apples, and celery.

Carnation® Instant Breakfast™ (130 cal/pkt, 7 gm protein/pkt):

Add to milkshakes or milk.

gravies (40 cal/Tbsp):

Use liberally on mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, and meats.

What foods are high in protein?

High-protein foods include:

meats - beef, chicken, fish, turkey, lamb

milk and cheese - yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese

eggs

peanut butter (with bread or crackers)

dried beans and peas (with bread, cornbread, rice)

Children younger than 3 years of age should avoid chunky peanut butter, and fruits and vegetables with skin, due to the risk of choking.

Commercial nutrition supplements should only be used when recommended by your child's physician or dietitian. Below are some examples of supplements. Your child's physician or dietitian will suggest which ones are best for your child. Different flavors are available, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry. Examples of supplements include the following:

Pediasure®, Nutren Jr®, Kindercal™

Ensure®, Resource®, Boost®,

Ensure® Pudding, Boost® Pudding

High-calorie snacks:

The following snack ideas are a good source of calories for children older than 3 years of age. They can be eaten as a meal or in addition to meals.